DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation have unveiled a trio of new animated projects at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, including an adult animated take on ‘Absolute Batman’, an anime series focused on the Joker, and a very different kids’ show following Krypto the Superdog.
The headline announcement is ‘Absolute Batman’, based on the hugely successful comic book series from writer Scott Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta. Snyder is set to serve as executive producer and showrunner on the animated adaptation, with Dragotta also attached as a producer.
The comic, which launched as part of DC’s “Absolute Universe” in 2024, reimagines Bruce Wayne without the billionaire trappings usually associated with the Dark Knight. There is no Wayne Manor, no inherited fortune, and no high-tech Batcave filled with expensive toys. Instead, this version of Bruce is a working-class Gotham hero who builds his mission from the ground up, taking on crime, corruption and some deeply unpleasant villains with grit rather than privilege.
That central hook has helped make ‘Absolute Batman’ one of DC’s biggest comic book hits in recent years, reportedly selling more than six million copies since launch and ranking among the best-selling comics of 2025. It is a smart pick for animation too, offering something recognisably Batman, but with enough of a twist to stand apart from the many, many versions of the Caped Crusader we have already seen on screen.
DC is also heading into darker territory with ‘Joker: Laugh Riot’, an adult anime series from Warner Bros. Animation, DC Studios and SOLA Entertainment.
The series begins with a wonderfully twisted premise: Batman has been murdered, but not by the Joker. Robbed of his greatest adversary, the Clown Prince of Crime launches a violent hunt through Gotham’s underworld to find the killer who took Batman away from him.
The official description reads:
“When Batman is murdered, the Joker launches a ruthless crusade through Gotham’s underworld to find the killer who took away his greatest adversary. But as his violent quest for answers pushes him closer towards vigilante than villain, Joker is forced to confront the truth that without Batman, he doesn’t know who he is.”
The anime will be executive-produced by Jim Krieg, with Yasuhuro Aoki (The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim) directing.
Then, in a complete tonal swerve, DC is also developing an untitled animated kids’ series centred around Krypto the Superdog.
The series follows Krypto when he is not hanging around with Superman or Supergirl, as he ends up tagging along with a group of misfit criminal wannabes who live nearby. Unfortunately for them, Krypto’s chaotic, lovable energy proves to be far more destructive than anything they had planned, while his pure-hearted nature slowly starts nudging them toward being better people.
C.H. Greenblatt is attached as executive producer on the Krypto series.
None of the three projects currently has a confirmed network, streaming platform or premiere window, so we may be waiting a little while before they actually arrive. Still, between a stripped-back, working-class Batman, a Joker anime about identity and obsession, and Krypto causing mayhem with wannabe crooks, DC’s animation slate is looking pleasingly weird in all the right ways.
‘Absolute Batman’, ‘Joker: Laugh Riot’, and the untitled Krypto series do not yet have premiere dates or confirmed platforms. ‘Absolute Batman’ and the Krypto series are currently classed as “in development” so may, or may not, make it to series. We’ll let you know when we hear more!
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